Navigating the Waters of Financial Security: A Guide to Secured Loans

In the ever-evolving landscape of personal finance, understanding the nuances of various financial instruments is crucial. One such tool that often finds itself in the spotlight is the secured loan. In this blog post, we'll explore what secured loans are, how they work, and why they might be a viable option for those seeking financial stability.

What are Secured Loans?

Secured loans are financial instruments that are backed by collateral, typically an asset owned by the borrower. This collateral acts as a form of security for the lender, reducing the risk associated with the loan. Common examples of secured loans include mortgages and auto loans, where the property or vehicle serves as collateral. The presence of collateral allows lenders to offer more favorable terms, such as lower interest rates and longer repayment periods.

The Dynamics of Secured Loans

Understanding the dynamics of secured loans involves delving into the relationship between the borrower, the lender, and the collateral. When a borrower applies for a secured loan, the lender assesses the value of the collateral to determine the loan amount. This collateral serves as a safety net for the lender—if the borrower defaults on the loan, the lender can seise the collateral to recoup their losses.

The interest rates on secured loans are often lower compared to unsecured loans because of the reduced risk for the lender. This makes secured loans an attractive option for individuals with valuable assets who are looking to borrow significant amounts of money while keeping costs manageable.

Advantages of Secured Loans

Secured loans offer several advantages for both borrowers and lenders. For borrowers, the primary benefit lies in the potential for lower interest rates and more flexible repayment terms. The collateral requirement also makes secured loans accessible to individuals with a less-than-perfect credit history, as the lender has a tangible asset to secure the loan against.

Lenders, on the other hand, benefit from the reduced risk associated with secured loans. The presence of collateral provides a layer of protection, mitigating the impact of borrower defaults. This reduced risk allows lenders to extend credit to a broader range of individuals, fostering financial inclusivity.

Considerations for Borrowers

While secured loans offer numerous advantages, it's essential for borrowers to carefully consider the implications. The most significant risk is the potential loss of the collateral if the borrower is unable to repay the loan. Therefore, individuals considering secured loans should thoroughly evaluate their financial situation, ensuring they have a realistic repayment plan in place.

Additionally, borrowers should be aware of the terms and conditions of the loan, including any fees or penalties associated with late payments or default. It's crucial to choose a reputable lender and fully understand the terms of the loan agreement before committing to a secured loan.

In the realm of personal finance, secured loans emerge as a valuable tool for those seeking financial stability and flexibility. By providing a secure and accessible borrowing option, these loans empower individuals to make significant financial decisions without compromising their long-term financial well-being. As with any financial instrument, careful consideration and understanding of the terms are essential to make informed decisions that align with one's financial goals.

Here Are 05 Things to Avoid While Getting Home Loan in Canada

A home equity loan, or HELOC, is an advantageous method of utilizing the worth in your home as influence to acquire cash. With HELOCs, you get access to a lot of cash and you pay a low loan rate. Their generous reimbursement terms also make them very appealing.

Since HELOCs are obtained via a significant financial resource - your home - they can supply these benefits. Since you can only acquire cash equal to your home's value, you should theoretically always be able to retain the HELOC in full. You should simply sell your home.

So, like with Visas and various obligations, if you have a HELOC, it is easy to get caught in a snare. In case you're considering taking out a home loan, here are five mistakes to avoid while you're getting a home loan in Canada:

1. Never Use a HELOC to Bury Obligations You Don't Expect to Recoup

Moving your MasterCard debt to a HELOC shrouds it away, far away from you. HELOCs only require the interest payment as a base installment, so you may feel like your obligation has disappeared when your base installment drops from $600 to $74. You'll be less likely to be tense about your credit cards once you think they've been paid off.

Making a plan to handle the balance prior to transferring to a HELOC can prevent you from falling into this trap. Maintain your monthly payments as you normally would. Additionally, if you imagine a situation in which you're at risk of piling up a lot of Visa obligations once more, consider dropping your MasterCard or asking your supplier to lower your credit limit. Consider making some lifestyle changes if you need to in order to avoid spending more than you make.

2. Don't Use a HELOC to Pay for Investment-Related Expenditures

HELOCs are good for home improvement because they are linked to the value of your home, like a home loan. In many ways, using a HELOC to boost the value of your home is similar to using a home loan to buy it.

Similarly, getting a HELOC to pay for a vacation isn't much different from getting a home loan to pay for one. You're responsible for taking care of the cash somehow: it comes from somewhere. What's more, if you can't, your home is in danger. Therefore, set aside ahead of time for large expenses.

3. Never Fall into the Snare of Making Interest-Just Installments

At the point when you take out a HELOC, your base installment is just whatever interest you owe. Even when you can get $100,000 and just pay $371 per month - that's just to cover the interest. Don't fall into this trap. Even if you make your monthly payment consistently for 10 years, you'll still owe $100,000 - and you'll have paid nearly $45,000 in interest.

4. Never Forget the High Arrangement Costs

Although HELOCs can be a helpful way to obtain large amounts of money, they're not easy to establish. Unlike credit cards or unstable credit lines, which you are generally approved for in under a day, HELOCs require more work to get approved.

A home loan application is similar to that of getting a mortgage. You will need to provide proof of your pay, resources, and obligations. The bank may charge you for evaluating your home (usually around $300). Additionally, since the credit will be enlisted as a subsequent mortgage, you will need a land lawyer to set it up (normally around $1,000).

By combining all your expenses, you're looking at spending a minimum of $1,300 setting up the HELOC. The cycle can take a little while. To get some quick money, you should consider other options besides a HELOC.

5.Never Forget to Shop Around for Best HELOC Rates

Regardless of what bank you use most or who your essential loan provider is, the HELOC can be obtained from any moneylender in Canada.

It doesn't matter who you work with to manage your account, or which specialist helped you with your first mortgage. You can get a HELOC through any trusted source. So, search for the lowest rate and compare it to other offers. On HELOCs, each loan specialist offers somewhat different terms and rates, just like in contracts. To arrange a HELOC, consider working with a home loan specialist.

Conclusion

Imagine your HELOC like a subsequent home loan (since it actually is). Be sure to pay off the cash owed on your HELOC, and try to do so in lockstep with your mortgage.

A HELOC may be a decent way to support your remodel - especially if it will increase the value of your home. A kitchen or bathroom remodel can yield an excellent return on your investment. If you spend $20,000 on a kitchen remodel, you can reasonably expect your home to gain $15,000 in value. Additionally, you will benefit from a new kitchen.

All You Need to Know About Cashe Short Term Personal Loans

Personal loans have been growing in popularity over the past few years and part of the reason is how easy they are to obtain. However, when applying for a personal loan from a bank, there are a number of criteria that one is required to meet. Furthermore, most banks have a minimum amount that their customers can borrow, which is often a much larger sum than the borrower is looking for. Another requirement when applying for a personal loan from a bank is that they have a minimum loan tenure of 12 months. For someone who is looking to borrow a smaller amount, this is not the most feasible option. This is where short-term loans can come in handy. To Know more about the personal loans Visit Bankbazaar.com.

Short-term loans

Short-term personal loans, as the name suggests, are loans that have to be repaid in a shorter time frame as compared to regular personal loans. Most short-term personal loans come with repayment tenures that are less than 12 months. Additionally, some lenders also provide loans for amounts as low as Rs.5,000 that can be repaid in EMIs.

• Features and benefits

The following are the features and benefits of short-term loans:

o Short-term personal loans are instant loans that are disbursed almost immediately after the application is approved.

o The loan amount that one is eligible to borrow depends on their credit score, monthly income, and any existing debts.

o The loan repayment tenure can be as short as 15 days and the maximum tenure is usually less than a year.

o Short-term personal loans can be availed by individuals who do not have a credit history or have bad credit.

o The application process is usually very simple and quick and requires minimal documentation.

Cashe short-term loans

There are a number of lenders that offer instant short term loans, one of which is Cashe. Cashe is an app-only, online lending platform that provides applicants with instant personal loans. The app uses the Social Loan Quotient (SLQ), a proprietary predictive algorithm, in order to create credit profiles for prospective customers. The SLQ is a dynamic, social behaviour-based credit rating system that evaluates a customer’s credit-risk via their social media footprint. This method is quite a contrast to the methods used by traditional lending agencies that still rely on credit scores and repayment history. The following are some of the features and benefits of Cashe:

Features and benefits

• Loan amount

The minimum loan amount that can be availed on the Cashe app is Rs.5,000 and the maximum amount is Rs.2 lakh. The loan amount and repayment schedule is chosen by the borrower on the app when applying for the loan.

• Loan tenure

The loan tenures on the Cashe app differ based on the amount borrowed. For an amount between Rs.5,000 and Rs.50,000, the loan tenure ranges between 15 days and 30 days. For loan amounts between Rs.19,000 and Rs.1 lakh, the longest repayment tenure that one can choose is 3 months. For loan amounts between Rs.25,000 and Rs.2 lakh, the maximum repayment tenure that one can choose is 6 months. However, Cashe also allows borrowers to make prepayments on their loan.

• Interest rate

The rate of interest charged varies based on the loan amount and the loan tenure chosen. All borrowers receive a 7-day grace period if they cross the scheduled repayment date. After the grace period, an additional interest rate is charged on the EMI. The table below illustrates the rate of interest charged on the lending app:

Loan tenure	Interest rate
	Flat rate	Additional interest rate
15 days	1.75%	4% +2.5%
30 days	3.25%	3%
90 days	2.75%	3%
180 days	2.50%	NA
1 year	2.50%	NA

• Processing and disbursal

Once Cashe receives the applicant's documents and verifies them, the loan amount is disbursed immediately.

• Processing fee

The processing fee charged varies based on the loan tenure chosen and the amount borrowed. The table below illustrates the processing fees for Cashe loan products: 

Loan tenure	Loan amount	Processing fee
15 to 30 days	Rs.5,000 to Rs.15,000	Rs.500
	Rs.16,000 to Rs.30,000	Rs.750
	Rs.31,000 to Rs.50,000	Rs.1,250
90 days	NA	2% of the loan amount
180 days	Rs.1 lakh	Rs.1,250
	Rs.1.01 lakh to Rs.1.49 lakh	Rs.1,750
	Rs.1.5 lakh to Rs.2 lakh	Rs.2,250
1 year	NA	Rs.1,000 or 3% of the loan amount (whichever is higher)

• Application process

The entire loan application through Cashe is carried out via the mobile app. In order to apply for a loan, you will have to download the Cashe app and complete your profile. You will also be required to submit all the documents requested including your bank statement, payslips and KYC documents. Once the documents are verified, the money is disbursed to your account after deductions towards the processing fee and the flat interest rate.

Cashe provides customers with the advantage of availing a personal loan despite not having a credit history or a credit score below 750. Additionally, once customers create a profile on the app, they have the benefit of availing another personal loan without having to carry out the application and documentation process all over again. Perhaps one of the biggest benefits of the Cashe app is that the loan amount is disbursed almost instantly and is extremely useful in cases of emergency.

Advantages of Opening Your Savings Account with Leading Banks

Savings account is a traditional investment option that’s much conservative in nature. It helps you store your extra funds with a banking institution as it’s safer than keeping the funds at home. Compared to the checking account, savings account yields more benefits like the interest that you earn on the funds. Unlike other liquid investments, your savings account helps you obtain an easier access to your money as and when you need it. With much lesser risk involved, your savings account actually provides numerous financial benefits. You must consider it while checking out options for protecting your funds.

Check Out the Major Benefits that Come with Your Savings Account:

Interest on the Funds Deposited

For all the funds deposited with your basic savings account, you’ll earn interests. This is the most important benefit associated with any savings account. The interest that you earn with your savings bank account is arrived at by multiplying the rate of interest by the value of funds deposited and maintained in the account. The rate of interest will even vary from time to time.

Simplified Access to Funds

The money that you deposit after an online saving account opening can be brought out easily in the event of an emergency. The funds that you deposit can be withdrawn for covering any unforeseen financial obligation. With a majority of banking institutions, funds can be accessed over the internet for 24 hours a day. Linking your savings account with your other financial accounts is a possibility with most banks just to ensure a smooth flow of funds. The most important benefit of maintaining your savings account is the quick access and mobility of funds that it supports.

Automatic Transfers

You might find it tough to save money out of your daily expenses and obligations. However, your savings account yields another benefit to resolve this issue. You may set automatic deposits with your account on a weekly or monthly basis. The amount of saving will then get transferred from your checking account on the date specified every month. This way, you won’t need to do the math of extracting money from your monthly budget.

Liquidity

Liquidity is certainly a major benefit associated with your savings account. All the money entrusted with your savings account can be accessed without any prior notice. Also, you may withdraw your funds as frequently as you need by availing facilities like the bank teller, internet banking, and ATM. However, you’re entitled to enjoy up to 6 electronic transfers each month as per the government regulation. In case, you need more funds, you may achieve it through an online transfer and it hardly takes a few minutes to get it processed. It’s much easier than taking your funds out of any certificate of deposit, government bond, and stock that charge a substantial amount as penalty.

Opening your savings account and operating it is much easier than your other modes of saving. You may achieve a few interest advantages with banks that bridge your savings packages and checking facilities. You may even choose to avail lower initial deposit with some of these banks.

How a Business Loan Helps in Balancing Your Expenses and Incomes

It’s often tough for a businessman to strike a balance between all the expenses and incomes even when things are running smoothly. Again, you may perceive an uphill task to cope with the piling debt that affects your financial situation. Under both of these circumstances, you’ll face the challenge of taking major decisions that shape the future prospects of your business. A fair share of your income gets claimed by the regular cost of running a business, thus leaving only a small portion of it to be invested in growth and to cover unforeseen expenses.

A business loan can be of real help when you’re attempting to invest in avoiding risks and improving the future course of your business. You may compare some of these loans by visiting any loanable website and narrow down your choices. However, you must first acquire more knowledge on the benefits of small business loans before signing up.

The following scenarios hold good for considering a small business loan:

• A dry financial season may create fresh opportunities. The pinch can be felt by even the most successful businesses, especially when the industry is trudging through a downturn. Till the revenue picks up again, a business can achieve adequate funds by way of a loan.

• A seasonal business needs to be restocked. Few businesses don’t achieve returns throughout the year. Their activities may be restricted through different phases. The seasonal boom can be met with more funds when you apply for a loan.

• Hiring new staff may be another instance. You might consider expanding the employee base for enhancing profits and productivity, especially when the trend is high. Covering all extra costs becomes easier once you obtain a loan. Such costs may include paying for their salary and training.

• Procuring fresh equipment is also an important reason. Your business can reach out to more buyers once you improve efficiency by deploying advanced equipment.

• Apart from opening a new branch, you may even expand your business operations. While experiencing success with your business, you may explore a new opportunity for business expansion and achieve a new reason for obtaining a loan.

• Initiating a few marketing events. A small business loan will certainly help in exploring fresh marketing attempts regardless of whether you’re introducing a grand opening or an annual sales event. Alongside enhancing your ROI, it will also draw in more buyers.

Things That Demand Special Consideration While Applying for a Loan

You must create a list of all your requirements prior to applying for your loan. A concrete business plan needs to be drawn before you even think of it. You must keep a detailed note of the amount that you ought to borrow and know the direction in which your funds will flow. Knowing the loan amount that you need to allocate towards addressing various financial areas will help you maintain a certain buffer for achieving the desired ROI. This, in turn, will even help you in determining all loan options that keep your business up and running.

All you need to know about top-up personal loans

Thinking of getting a top-up on your existing personal loan? Most lenders provide applicants with top-up personal loan offers, usually after completion of a particular period in the tenure. Depending on your repayment history, you can get a much-reduced interest rate on your top-up personal loan. Besides, you can also alter your tenure when you opt for a top-up.

Top-up personal loans can help a great deal if you need urgent access to funds. While a normal loan usually takes about 6-8 business days to reach your bank account, a top-up on your existing personal loan will take just about 24-48 hours to get disbursed. So, if you’re facing an emergency, a top-up loan is easily your best bet.

Things to know before applying for a loan top-up

Before you get your top up personal loan offer from your lender, here are certain things that you should know.

Having a Good Repayment History

A good repayment history with your current lender is crucial to get your top-up loan approved. The importance of this point can of course, not be understated. Perhaps the most dominant parameter that influences the approval/rejection of your top-up loan application is your repayment history, for this is the only way the lender can assess your ability to repay. So, if you wish to apply for a top-up, make doubly sure that your repayment history with your lender is neat.

It sure does look like it when you apply for a top-up, but not quite it yet.

Your Credit Score

Your credit score (a score out of 900 that indicates your credit worthiness) should also be at an acceptable level if you wish to get a top-up on your existing loan. Note that your repayment history is a crucial parameter that impacts your credit score. There are of course other parameters as well – your monthly debt to income ratio, your Credit Utilization Ratio and the number of debt sources in your name. While such is the case, in case you have a long relationship history with the lender and your repayment history has been impressive with just a handful of instances of overdue payments (note that there should be no instances of defaults), you can get your top-up personal loan approved even if your credit score has taken a hit.

There isn’t an ounce of doubt whether it is possible to avail a personal loan or not. There is no other objective to getting a top-up than while fighting an emergency.

Employment

Most lenders allowing you to apply for top-up loans require you to be actively employed with a stable source of monthly income coming your way. This of course makes sense, as lenders need to know that you can make monthly repayments towards your loan. To determine this, lenders will ask for your most recent income documents – it doesn’t matter even if you’ve switched jobs and just started work with a new employer.

Altering tenures

Lenders allow applicants to alter tenures when they provide them with personal loan offers on top of existing loans. As an applicant, you can choose a tenure based on your repayment capacity. Longer tenures attract lower repayments while shorter tenures have comparatively higher repayments. However, opting for a short tenure would mean lesser payment towards interest, while longer tenures attract higher interest payments.

Essential Tips on Getting a Title Loan

Understanding What Title Loans Are

A title loan is an alternative for people who have less than stellar credit scores but are in need extra money. You don’t need to provide a reason for why you’re borrowing money. You don’t even need to give your credit history. All you need is to give the title of your car as security for the loan.

Title loans are available in most cities and states. For example, you can get title loans Lancaster CA. There are also several lenders in Texas.

Auto title loans are interchangeably referred to as car title loans or simply, title loans. They are categorized as collateral loans. Here, you use the title of your car as a security. Your loan value will vary depending on the value of your collateral or security. The loan value is typically pegged below the appraised value of your collateral, usually at around 50% of the collateral’s value.

Title loans are short-term loans. And the loan value of these loans is small. They range from a few hundred to several thousands. This is why the application process is not stringent. You can get approved in as quick as one day.

Acceptable Vehicle Types

Auto title lenders offer a variety of loan options. They accept almost all types of vehicles. The more common types are the following:

1. Cars. This is the most popular type of vehicle used as security. You most probably have is the type of vehicle. This is because this is what the average consumer would own. Thus, it is the easiest to provide.

2. Motorcycles. Motorcycle owners can also avail of title loans. Two-wheeled vehicles are also accepted as collateral.

3. SUVs. Short for Sport Utility Vehicles, SUVs, are also popular among Americans as their choice of vehicle. It provides more room than a car without sacrificing convenience for everyday use. Your valuation will depend on the make and year of your SUV. A newer SUV will likely give you a higher loan value.

4. RVs. Recreational vehicles are available in different classes. Regardless, they all have cabins which are good as a temporary space. They’re also good as collateral for title loans.

5. Trucks. Business owners who use trucks for their transporting needs can use them as security for title loans. If you’re one of them, you might consider this the next time you need additional funding.

The types of vehicles you can use as security in a title loan are not limited to these five. These are simply the ones generally used. If you’re not sure whether you can use your vehicle’s title as security, then do not hesitate to check with your local title lender first.

Who Should Get A Title Loan

If you have a bad credit score, then this might be the loan for you. Traditional loans from banks and other lending companies require background checks and even securities. After they look into your capacity to repay them, then that’s just when they finally approve your loan.

However, if you do not want that hassle and do not have the time, then just get an auto title loan. It’s the easier way to obtain a loan for those own a car and have an immediate need for some cash. They won’t even inquire your reason for taking a loan out.

You’ll want to pay it back though as soon as possible. Title loans are more convenient to get. But they also charge higher interest rates as a result. This is the price of having less requirements for approval. As long as you pay back your debt when it matures, you won’t have any problem.

Choosing Which Title Lender to Borrow

From Research your options before you commit to any title lender. Understand what the costs of borrowing will be and if you can afford them. There are a lot of companies that offer title loans depending on your area. And chances are, they will not be giving you the same loan value for the same car. Or offering you the same interest rate and payment scheme for the same amount of loan.

It may also be important to know the application and approval process of each title lender. Find one which is genuinely quick and easy. And delivers on their claim of not checking your credit score. Some applications even only take five minutes.

Weigh your choices. And then choose which one is best for you. Of if getting one at all is the right decision.

As with any debt, what’s important is that you eventually pay back your loan. Be mindful of the refinancing charges too. You’ll have to pay these if you can’t pay back your loan on maturity date – the date when the lender can demand payment from you. Interest rates are also higher in title loans, so you don’t want that accumulating.

Title loans are great for emergency cash needs. They don’t take long to get and don’t necessitate much for approval. But always remember to assess your situation before you borrow. This way, you end up getting the best solution for your financial problems.

A Detailed Analysis of Top 3 Singapore P2P Lending Platforms For Investors in 2018

Have you encountered a problem with financing your business, household or daily activities? Have you tried borrowing money but was unsuccessful? Borrowing and lending money have been made easier by the peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platforms. This emerging method allows more significant connection between borrowers and investors.

Today, everyone deserves hassle-free transactions and more opportunities to try. A licensed money lender is made available to help people solve their financial problems more efficiently. It could help them achieve their dreams without overthinking about the finances they would need to start.

What is New About P2P Lending Platforms?

With P2P lending platforms, people are now allowed to borrow and lend money without the need of financial institution. The investments in P2P are less volatile and have been able to provide higher returns than the existing sources familiar to people. P2P lending platforms have not only helped clients who are in need, but this has also served as a source of income for inventors.

Some countries have tried to engage in P2P lending platforms. One of the countries that have been interested in applying this to their daily activities is Singapore.

P2P Lending Platforms in Singapore 

Singapore has been very eager in increasing its activity regarding P2P lending platforms to provide better services and aid people with their day-to-day operations. There have emerged some lending platforms that offer attractive returns for investors. There exist payouts if managed well that are made on a monthly basis that would benefit those who have invested.

Lending platforms in Singapore have been trusted by many investors and other citizens who needed financial aids to improve not only their business but for their dreams. Singapore, like countries in US and Europe, is one of those countries engaging in P2P lending platforms.

What are The Top 3 P2P Lending Platforms in Singapore?

The top 3 alternative finance players in providing loans for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Singapore are as listed:

Funding Societies

Funding Societies is a moneylender that is licensed by Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).

This moneylender operates not only in Singapore but even in Malaysia and Indonesia. It is the first peer-to-peer lending platform that used government-registered escrow. As of 2018, it already has a total of 2,642 approved loans and with about 126.58 million SGD amount disbursed.

In 2017, Funding Societies has been included in the Fintech 250 list that is a group of emerging private companies working on the groundbreaking financial technology. It has been the only Southeast Asia P2P lending company that has been included in the list.

In the same year, Funding Societies has won the Best Customer Experience- Financial Service Providers at the 3rd annual Financial Services Summit and Awards 2017 held in Singapore. Funding Societies has been one of the most respected and recognized money lenders in Singapore.

MoolahSense

MoolahSense holds a Capital Services License regulated by MAS. In 2018, they have a total of 13,000 plus registered investors, 400 plus completed campaigns and about 50 million SGD total funding.

MoolahSense has been known to offer business loans ranging from 50,000 SGD to more than 5 million SGD in size. They can provide this loans quickly up to within three business days. It offers different interest rate types such as equal installments, interest only, etc. that allows greater flexibility to small and medium-sized enterprises.

MoolahSense aims to help people grow wealth by financing business across industries and at the same time earn adjusted returns. Application with MoolahSense is fast and can be accomplished online for only around 5 minutes. All an investor has to do is to register, start investing and monitor investments. For borrowers, they have to record, continue with the application process in coordination with the assigned team and then track the funding.

Capital Match

Capital Match is a licensed money lender that makes short-term business financing simpler. Capital Match provides business and SME loans and invoice financing facilities of 50,000-20,000 SGD, in a term of 3-12 months. Approval of loans offered by this moneylender is only within days. This moneylender has been established in 2014 and has already provided 62 million SGD loans as of December 2017.

How to Choose the Best P2P Lending Platform?

You might have been interested in engaging with a licensed money lender. To help you choose the best P2P lending platform, here’s what to remember:

Minimum Loan Amount

Consider the minimum loan amount to invest in starting. Minimum loan for Funding Societies is $100, $ 500 for MoolahSense while $1,000 for Capital Match per facility.

Service Fee

Consider also the service fee involved. Funding Societies charge 15% of the interest earned; Capital Match costs 20% of the benefit received that will be charged after the repayment is paid. On the other hand, MoolahSense has no service fee.

Types of Loan Offered

There are two types of loans available, Business Term Loans and Invoice Financing. The former spans across a year or two and this is what loans businesses get to expand. It is most commonly requested by Singapore SMEs.

On the other hand, the latter allows companies to finance slow-paying accounts receivable in two ways. First is through sales wherein invoices can be sold to companies in exchange for immediate payments while the second one is through receivables that are used to ensure a line of credit through asset-based plans.

Funding Societies and MoolahSense have both types of loans while Capital Match offers only Invoice Financing.

Reasons to Invest in P2P Lending Platforms

The question most interested individuals or parties would ask is why to invest in P2P lending platforms. These are the reasons behind:

Higher Returns

As compared to many traditional investment products, peer-to-peer lending platforms can provide higher returns. Returns among these platforms in Singapore can provide up to 14% yearly returns.

Short Waiting Period

The tenure of the loans in these lending platforms range only to less than one year while other insurances take longer. Moreover, the interest and the principal amount can be returned monthly which provides investors more options such as reinvesting or other transactions that are more beneficial.

Low Minimum Loans

One does not need plenty of money to be able to start investing. As described earlier, minimum loans range only from 100-1,000 SGD. With these minimum loans, it provides opportunities for literally anyone to spend.

Trusted and Proven

Top P2P lending platforms in Singapore have been proven and trusted by many investors. They have been licensed and regulated by MAS. Funding Societies has already expanded, reaching Malaysia and Indonesia. It has even been recognized as one of the Top 250 Fintech Companies. Other money lenders have also continued to develop and grow.

Conclusion

Peer-to-peer lending platforms in Singapore have continued to grow and help companies and individuals regarding finances. Money lenders serve as an aid that benefit not only the borrowers but even the investors. In Singapore, top licensed money lenders have continued to operate and succeed to be recognized not only in Southeast Asia but also in the world. Indeed, a moneylender serves as a partner towards success.

What You Need To Know About Bridging Loans

Bridging loans are actually a relatively simple form of financial instrument.When used correctly, a bridging loan can be a fantastic way of facilitating a property purchase that might otherwise be unavailable to the buyer. Of course, they aren’t right for everyone and there are some alternatives on the market that may be a better option. Bridging finance should be treated as a short-term solution and can be more expensive than a traditional mortgage, but with these costs and risks comes the potential to unleash possibilities that wouldn’t be available with other types of finance.

Bridging loans remain popular with borrowers because of their ability to ‘fill the gap’ between the purchase of a new property and the sale of an existing one, or simply if capital is needed quickly. A classic problem for buyers is that their capital needed for the purchase is locked up in an existing property. A bridging loan is a short-term borrowing facility that provides the borrower with the capital to help complete on their new property, which is then later repaid when the old property is successfully sold.

Bridging loans aren’t just used by traditional buyers. Bridging finance is often used by landlords and property developers looking to buy property at auction, where quick access to finance is needed to secure purchases. These buyers will normally use bridging loans, at a higher rate than a mortgage, to secure quick funds, and then look to re-mortgage the property later. Of course, if a developer is looking to buy a property, renovate and then sell on quickly, bridging finance could be a fantastic option for borrowing that can be easily repaid once the renovated property is sold.

For more ‘standard’ buyers, bridging loans help grant access to deals that would be impossible otherwise due to funds being tied up in their current home. To use an example, let’s say a couple owned a home worth £250,000 with a mortgage of £150,000. They want to move to their new dream home worth £400,000, but the vendor will only sell based on contracts being exchanged within a month and completion within 6 weeks. In this timescale, a sale of their current home is unrealistic, so bridging finance can be used to help fill the gap. The bridging company would lend the couple the funds to purchase the new home, and once their existing property has sold and the mortgage repaid, the equity that remains would be used as a deposit for a mortgage on the new property. Once the mortgage is arranged, this capital would be used to repay the bridging loan.

Of course, the example above does not come without risk. Borrowers need to ensure they are aware of the interest rate they will be paying, and are reliant on their existing property selling at a viable price. If market conditions change the borrowers could be left unable to sell their existing property and with both their existing mortgage and the bridging loan to repay.

For the reasons above, bridging finance should always be treated as a short term borrowing solution. Rates will be higher than a traditional mortgage, so it’s important for the borrower both to keep up with the repayments and refinance onto a lower rate product as soon as the sale of their old property has been completed.

Bridging finance can be secured in a number of ways. Lenders vary in size and style, and in recent years the rise of P2P or crowdfunded lending has also opened up another source of funding for potential borrowers. In all cases, it’s always sensible to look for an accredited source of funding, which in the UK will be in the form of FCA approval. Bridging finance companies are normally adept at working quickly, the product relies upon fast approval and capital being made available to borrowers in short time frames.

In the right situation a bridging loan is a powerful product that can help the borrower secure property that would otherwise be unavailable to them, but they aren’t without their risks or alternatives so it’s important to take a balanced view on their use. A bridging loan can help secure a dream home for a family or a desirable project for a developer, so when used correctly they are a useful option to add to the toolkit of options available to borrowers.

Here’s How You Need To Use Personal Loan Calculator

Personal loans are a popular means of financing needs these days. Many financial institutions offer personal loans at attractive rates. This helps you fund goals like travel, wedding, or buying assets. With personal loans, you do not need to dip into your savings. But make sure to use a Loan calculator before taking a loan.

Why do you need a Personal Loan Calculator?

Imagine you want a personal loan of Rs.1.5 lakh at an interest of 12% per annum. The lender says that you need to pay an equated monthly instalment (EMI) of Rs.12,000. In such a situation, most people comply. But how do you know whether it is the right amount?

You could always use a paper and pen or an Excel sheet to calculate the interest. But this takes time. With a personal loan calculator, you can get the answer in less than 10 seconds flat!

How can you use a Personal Loan Calculator?

Every month, you pay a certain amount of money as EMI. The amount you pay depends on three factors:

1) Loan amount

2) Loan tenor

3) Interest rate

If you change any of the above three actors, the EMI you pay will change.

For example, imagine that you take a personal loan of Rs.1.5 lakh at the rate of 12% interest for 12 months. In this scenario, the EMI would be Rs.12,883.

Let us change the interest rate to 15%. For the same loan amount and tenor, the EMI would be Rs.13,087. Here, the EMI increases by around Rs.200.

Now, consider a personal loan of Rs.2 lakh at the rate of 12% for 12 months. You would need to pay an EMI of Rs.17,770.

So, you can see how your EMI changes with a change in the three fundamental factors. A personal loan calculator helps you do the permutation and combination. That way, you arrive at the right amount, tenor, and interest rate you can afford.

Online Personal Loan Calculators

If you go online, you can find many personal loan calculators on the Internet. Take Bajaj Finserv, one of the leading non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) in India. Their website has a free personal loan calculator. It is convenient and easy to use.

Eligibility calculations

With this calculator, you can do much more than EMI calculations. For example, you can also assess your eligibility.

The eligibility calculator indicates how much money you can avail as a loan. This amount depends on various factors such as:

1) Age

2) Monthly salary

3) The city you live in

4) Any outstanding loans

You key in all these details to know the amount you can expect as a loan. For instance, say you plan to use a personal loan to renovate your kitchen. You need a loan of Rs.3 lakh. But your eligibility is for only Rs.2 lakh.

Then, it might be a good idea to revise your expectations or seek the loan elsewhere. You can save a lot of time and energy. Nobody wants to go through the whole application process only to find out they are not eligible.

Or, you could find out that you are eligible for Rs.5 lakh. You can always use the money to upgrade your remodelling plans.

Conclusion

Different financial institutions offer personal loans at different interest rates. Do not give in to the confusion.

Private Mortgages: An Investment Idea Whose Time Has Come

It seems like the stock market is on steroids, every day comes the announcement of a record close and many are wondering if share prices will ever go done.  In fact, it is has gotten so frothy (a word which is used in Reuter’s 2018 global projection) that even bullish hedge fund investors begrudgingly parking their money in equities.

Even with all the good news, a growing number of market watchers are beginning to voice concern.  Not only are interest rates starting to rise, but bond yields are dangerously close to an inflection point, and the U.S. Dollar appears to be in an inextricable slide.  However, the market keeps going up and for many times are good.

While there is no doubt the stock market is on an unbelievable run, a hallmark of prudent investment is what is known as asset diversification.  This is concept of spreading your investment across several asset classes – think of the adage of not putting all your eggs in one basket.

As such, it makes sense to look at other investment avenues as a hedge against potential risks in other asset classes.  This is not to say that you shouldn’t enjoy the run-up in equity prices, or that you should invest in assets classes that won’t yield a return.  Instead, the concept to guard against risk – this could include investments in real estate, bonds, gold, or even private mortgages.

That’s right, you can invest in private mortgages.  These are not the infamous ‘subprime’ mortgages from the days of the housing bubble, these are mortgages which are usually offered by sellers to help close a real estate transaction.  If you have heard of private mortgages, then read on this is an investment idea whose time has come.

Why Private Mortgages?

Despite the excesses of a decade ago, real estate remains one of the most secure investment classes around.  The reasons are that prices in most areas tend to appreciate over the long-run.  As such, the question for most investors is how they will enter the market – maybe it’s via acquiring properties directly, or buying shares in a REIT, or a mortgage fund, or the mortgages themselves.

In fact, there are plenty of investors who are looking for people who are selling a mortgage note or two. The idea is simple, mortgage holders (usually seller or private lenders) have well-performing mortgages which they are looking to sell at a slight discount of the future receivables and there are buyers who bundle these assets into larger offerings on the public market.

The lure of private mortgages is that they offer a steady revenue stream without the hassles of property ownership.  Another plus is that these notes are tangible securities which are easy enforce and transfer.  This makes private mortgages a sought-after investment class and managed correctly, they can offer significantly higher yields compared to broader debt investment options.

What Are the Advantages?

There are several plusses to private mortgages including no cost to the investor, monthly income, and protection.   In terms of the cost, sure the investor will need to front the capital for the mortgage but the borrower is the one who must pay to register the note against the title.  As such, the capital requirement is limited to the investor’s share of the overall note.

Beyond this, private mortgages private a monthly revenue stream – one which pays much of the return upfront.  This is compared to other investments, even bonds, which may take months or years to mature.  It is this almost instantaneous payback is one reason why some investors chose to park some of the money in private mortgages.

Lastly, the capital is protected.  This is compared to many other investments which are largely at the whims of the market.  In the case of private mortgages, and assuming the lender has performed proper due diligence, the risk of a loss is relatively low. 

Now, this does not mean that some private mortgage lenders have not made bad loans in the past.  But if proper controls are put in place - such as reliance on credit checks and limiting the loan-to-value ratios – then these investments can be relatively safe.

How to Invest in Private Mortgages?

In general, there are three ways to invest in private mortgages.  First, you can invest in a Mortgage Investment Corporation (MIC).  This is like investing in private equity and while the returns are slightly lower than direct investing, so are the risks as part of the MIC’s value proposition is their experience in assessing loan opportunities.

Another way to invest in private mortgages is through what is known as participatory mortgages.  This is when several investors create a pool to help write one or more loans.  This is a great way to share the risk and the reward.

Finally, investors can finance mortgages on a one-on-one basis.  However, this sort of investment is best suited for those with experience in mortgage underwriting to make sure they are properly pricing the loan and by extension maximizing their return.

5 Steps In The House-Buying Process You Need To Know

Getting a property purchase right is a pretty important thing to do. It’s not like buying a pair of shoes that you can take back a week or so later when you realise the colour isn’t right or the fit isn’t working for you. A house is a lot more important than a pair of shoes, so it’s important that you get the process right.

Making the process straightforward is the best thing that you can do for your own peace of mind and stress levels, so check out the five steps that you can follow to make buying your first home simple and as uncomplicated as possible.

Sort Your Budget

Before you buy a house and before you start looking at houses that you could purchase, you need to set yourself a budget. Speak to a mortgage broker and speak to the bank about your affordability and remember that as a first-time buyer, you need to have a deposit of at least 5%, plus fees and taxes. Lenders often will offer you up to four times your current income if you are buying on your own. Not only do you need to budget for the house you are buying, but you need to ensure you can make the monthly repayments on the mortgage you get approved for. This is on top of keeping money aside for repairs and insurance.

Make An Offer

The next step in the house-buying process once you’ve found a home you love is to make an offer. By this point, you will have fallen in love with a home and made sure that you can afford the repayments. Always offer just below asking price, but not enough to make it look like you are taking advantage of the fact the house is on sale. Be aware of the condition of the property before you make that offer and always get a house inspected properly.

Conveyancing Next!

If your offer gets accepted, it’s time to instruct a solicitor to work on your behalf. They will need to carry out all the legal stuff for you to get the property into your name. You have to arrange surveys, get a valuation of the property with your mortgage lender and if possible, get an independent valuation as well. It may seem like a lot of cash to spend, but it will be worth it!

Contract Exchange

Once all the searches that are necessary have been completed, your solicitor will contact you to let you know. You will have been called with a firm offer from the lender, and you should be ready to exchange contracts at this point. This is where you will start looking at buildings and contents insurance, especially if this is a condition of your mortgage.

Completion

You’ve made it! You have crossed the T’s and dotted the I’s on the biggest purchase you will ever make. Once you know your completion date, you can start booking movers to get you sorted for the big day!